Drinking Alcohol in the Cold? 5 Tips on How To Stay Safe

“Have a shot of whiskey — it’ll warm you up!” You’ve likely heard this advice (or something similar), but it’s one of the many alcohol myths you shouldn’t let fool you.

You may think there’s no harm in gearing up for a winter tailgate with a few beers or having a warm whiskey before hitting the slopes. But these may not be the best pairings.

The cold, hard truth is that drinking alcohol when it’s frigid outside can be dangerous. Alcohol can give you a false sense of warming up while putting you at greater risk of cold exposure and other health issues.

“Alcohol and exposure to cold is a dangerous combination,” says emergency medicine specialist Thomas Waters, MD. “If you’re going to drink in cold weather, you should know how to prepare.”

Why does alcohol make you hot?

So, does alcohol make you warm?

Sort of.

When drinking a beer or cocktail in the cold, you may feel your body warm up, your cheeks flush and even start to work up a sweat. But are you really raising your body temperature?

How alcohol works

Here’s what happens when you’re having an alcoholic drink in the cold. When you drink alcohol, your blood vessels dilate, sending more blood to your skin. This dilation brings blood closer to the surface of your skin, which can create a sensation of warmth or flushing.

But in doing so, it’s also pulling heat away from your body’s core. The increased blood flow near your skin’s surface can create the sensation of warmth, but it doesn’t raise your body temperature.

Dangers of drinking alcohol in the cold

The dangers of drinking alcohol in the cold may not be obvious to you. But that’s exactly why there’s a risk. Drinking affects your ability to key into your body’s temperature signals and heightens your risk for injuries. 

Here are some risks associated with drinking alcohol in the cold:

Alcohol gives you a false sense of warmth

While alcohol makes you feel warmer, you’re losing your body heat to the outside environment faster. “You’re turning on your radiator to send your heat out into the environment. You might feel warm, but it creates a dangerous situation,” explains Dr. Waters.

While it may help prevent frostbite in your fingers, sending blood to your skin takes it away from your core, heart, vital organs and brain. As a result, your body temperature drops.

This is particularly dangerous if you have heart problems, as it can lead to increased heart rate, risk of arrhythmias and the masking of other cardiovascular symptoms.

Bad decisions in cold weather are more dangerous

You may be more tempted to shed layers or feel more at ease due to alcohol’s effects. But feeling warm and taking off your jacket, sweater or gloves outside increases your hypothermia risk.

Snow increases the danger as well. “If you get wet, you’ll lose heat 25 times faster,” Dr. Waters warns. And while your sober brain may think twice before, say, walking 5 miles on foot through a snowstorm, you may be more inclined to do it when you’re under the influence of alcohol.

Alcohol dehydrates you

Alcohol is a diuretic, which means the more you drink, the more frequently you’ll need to use the bathroom. You may also notice that in cold weather, you might not feel as thirsty, but your body still requires hydration.

“Alcohol causes you to urinate a lot, which speeds up dehydration,” Dr. Waters explains. “That, in turn, can make you more prone to hypothermia.” Dehydration can also make it harder for your body to regulate its temperature effectively.

5 cold weather safety tips

While the safest option is to avoid drinking in the cold, if you choose to drink, Dr. Waters suggests following these tips to help keep yourself safe:

1. Eat fatty or high-carb foods before drinking.
2. Don’t drink beverages that are too cold, particularly ones with ice.
3. Alternate alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.
4. Keep a sober friend with you to ensure that you make responsible decisions.
5. Wear warm clothing and dress in layers.

The bottom line

Most importantly, keep in mind that drinking excessively is what will get you in the most hot water. Binge drinking is a form of drinking that has many health risks — and there’s no exception for it even during the cold.

“Just remember — everything in moderation,” Dr. Waters stresses. “Having proper knowledge of the situation and preparing for it can keep you out of harm’s way.”

When drinking in any kind of extreme weather, you should be cautious and aware of all the risks involved. Be sure to stay safe, pace yourself and keep yourself warm and hydrated. Or just save your next drink for when you’re safe and toasty indoors.